PAUMOTU GROUP. 
335 
showed that they were anxious to propitiate us, but stiJl fearful. 
They were reassured by our making them some small presents, and 
became desirous of shaking hands, and even offered to rub noses. 
They were all armed with a stick, (for it could not be called a 
spear,) six or seven feet long, on some of them were fastened the 
jaws of the porpoise. 
They appeared to be greatly astonished, and their looks bespoke 
amazement at our appearance. Occasionally, as if to satisfy them- 
selves of the reality, they would put their hands on us. On receiving 
a few trifling presents they broke forth into the same song or chaunt 
that was heard on their first coming towards the ship. The younger 
ones were the first to show confidence, and were much disposed" to 
laugh and joke with the men, and some of the officers thought they 
recognised those who had been in the canoes the day before. 
On our gentlemen requesting to go to their huts, they seemed to 
be thrown into a kind of stupid wonderment, but on being assured 
they had nothing to fear, their countenances brightened up, and they 
led the way through the wood to an open space, surrounded by 
pandanus and cocoa-nut trees. These natives had evidently had 
communication with vessels, but I very much doubt if any had 
landed before. They did not appear at all alarmed at the firing of 
guns, but were much surprised to see the birds killed, holding°up 
their hands, and making ejaculations. They had no idea of & the 
principles of barter, and allowed any thing to be taken without oppo- 
sition, receiving any articles in return with gratitude and delight. 
Iron was prized more than any other thing. On reaching the huts 
inquiry was made of them for their women, when a general burst of 
laughter ensued and they gave us to understand, that they had pene- 
trated our motive for visiting their island—" That as we inhabited 
an island without any women, we wanted to have some." Nothing 
more was said to them on the subject. They accompanied us to the 
boats, and at parting went through the same ceremonies of rubbing 
noses, shaking hands, and raising their arms with the palms towards 
us. According to the estimate I made of the inhabitants, the number 
was about ninety. From the great age of the chiefs, and the absence 
of wounded or scarred individuals, I should believe they lived in 
peace. They, however, gave their neighbours on the small island to 
the west (which they called Otooho), a very bad name. Water in 
small quantities is to be had on the eastern section of the island, and 
a little biche de mar might be taken on the reefs. A small rat was 
